Jonas Knudsen dropped a heavy hint that Stoke City really did want his signature last summer.

The Denmark international is heading to the bet365 Stadium this weekend still as an Ipswich player – but still with doubts over his long-term future, just like when Gary Rowett was heavily linked with a swoop early this season.

Middlesbrough were also reported to be taking an interest and Knudsen said in a recent interview with Tipsbladet: “There was something concrete in it, but sometimes things do not fall into place as you would like.

“That’s the way it is and there are always some things that you have to leave to a higher authority.

Read More

“In the summer I had a year left on my contract and now I have half-a-year left so it’s a new situation in January. We will see.

“I have to make sure I play and concentrate on that. Sometimes you want to try something new and you will be disappointed. You have to drive on and focus on the next game and that’s really what I’m doing right now because I’m happy at Ipswich.”

Read More

Port Vale v Stoke City in Checkatrade trophy

Interest or not, Knudsen didn't move to Stoke or Middlesbrough - although the defender then fell out with Paul Hurst during his brief time as manager and ended up on the sidelines at Ipswich.

Now Knudsen’s contract situation is apparently being monitored by leading clubs back in Denmark, including FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland.

The 26-year-old long throw expert, who joined for £300,000 from Esbjerg in 2015, has made 146 appearances for Ipswich and Paul Lambert has recommended to owner Marcus Evans that the player is given a new deal.

Paul Lambert joined Ipswich Town as manager in October.

He told the East Anglian Daily Times last week: “(Lambert has made) a big difference to be fair. He’s been absolutely brilliant with us and he’s got the place going.

“He really got the training ground going so we’ve got a boost out of that, definitely. It’s his whole team who have done that. We would like to have more results but we can see what he wants to do and what he’s done in the first few weeks is great.

“His experience and everything he’s done before has given us a boost and that’s what we needed.

“Specifically in this situation he told us how he wants us to play. If we follow that then he’s happy and that’s what we’re going to do.

“Everyone can see the football has been a bit different. I will say now the first half we played against Reading was one of the most enjoyable and we should have scored four or five.

“It’s also on the training ground. He gets everyone together in a similar way to Mick (McCarthy) did and he’s absolutely brilliant. His whole staff have done good.”